Basic Well Logging

Density Logs
Basic Well-Logging Interpretation
Sequence
 Learning Outcomes
• To understand the physical principles behind the
operation of density logging tools.
• To learn how to assess the quality of and
interpret density and photoelectric factor (PEF)
logs.
• To learn how to combine density (bulk), PEF,
gamma-ray, and resistivity logs to estimate
lithology, types of fluid, and porosity.
• To understand the importance of the
environmental corrections applied to bulk
density logs.
 Recommended Reading
• Pages 78, 101, and 175 - 184 in “Introduction to
Wireline Log Analysis”, Baker Hughes Inc.
(2002).
• Chapter 8, Gamma Ray Absorption Logs, pp
159 – 171 in “Theory, Measurement, and
Interpretation of Well Logs” by Zaki Bassiouni,
SPE Textbook Series Vol. 4 (1994).
• Instructional CD: Petrophysics Distance
Learning Module. First Edition, 1989, prepared
by Shell International Exploration and
Production B.V. and Schlumberger
 Porosity Determination
• The porosity of the formation is
determined from measurements taken by
density, neutron and sonic logs.
• No tool actually measures porosity. It is
always computed based on some other
measurement.
• The density tool measures the bulk density
of the formation
 Basics of the Density Tool
• A Cesium 137 source emits Gamma-rays of
energy level 0.66 MeV into the formation
• Some of the Gamma-rays are absorbed, some
are scattered away from the detector and others
are scattered into the detector and counted.
• The scattering of the Gamma-rays is dependent
on the number of electrons in the formation and
hence is proportional to its bulk density.
• The higher the bulk density the lower the
response at the detector.
 Density Tools
• Formation Density Compensated (FDC)
Two detectors- near and far – compensate for
mudcake and borehole irreglarity effects.
• A computer algorithm based on the “spine and
rib” plot is used to correct the tool reading for
mudcake and borehole effects and the
correction applied is shown in the delta rho
curve.
• Bulk density readings with a correction > 0.06
gm/cc should only be used qualitatively.
 Theory of Density Measurements

• Details on these phenomena are available

in recommended readings
• Baker-Hughes – pp 176 onwards
Bassiouni – Chapter 2
Instructional CD; Petrophysics
 Bulk Density Measurement
• Gamma-ray count rate is dependent on
electron density of the formation which is
closely correlated with bulk density

• The density tool actually measures

electron density.
 Newer Density Tool
• Litho-Density Tool (LDT) also measures
the Photoelectric Factor (PEF) as well as
bulk density
• PEF is very slightly affected by porosity, is
fairly independent of fluid type and is a
good lithology indicator especially in
simple lithologies.
 Tool Calibration
• Primary Calibration is done against
limestone with accurately known grain
density at freshwater filled porosities
ranging from 0 to 40%
• Secondary calibration at logging company
bases with aluminum or magnesium
blocks
• Field calibrators – replicate secondary
calibration
 Environmental Corrections
• Temperature
• Mud Weight
• Mudcake Thickness
 Acknowledgements:
Neal Alleyne

Dr. Carlos Torres-Verdin, UT at Austin

Schlumberger

Baker Atlas